Letting hens out before laying

[PearlyCat]

My "ready to lay hens" (20 weeks) are getting settled in the coop, I got them at 18 weeks. I have finished the run and would like to let them out to forage, although they have yet to lay in their nesting boxes or lay at all. I think there is one chicken of 10 who lays an egg each day around 2:30. I have heard that it is important for chickens to get the laying in nesting boxes thing down before they are exposed to more stimulus. These gals were previously cage raised so they are still learning to roost and lay. Any advice?

 

[SunkenRoadFarms]

I would let them out. I've raised many juveniles and always allow them outside run access prior to laying. You'll probably get a few eggs outside the boxes at first, but they will quickly learn from the others. Dummy eggs in the boxes is also a good way to train them.